ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA

MARK ANTONY, Triumvir
OCTAVIUS CAESAR, Triumvir
LEPIDUS, Triumvir
SEXTUS POMPEIUS,
DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS, friend to Antony
VENTIDIUS, friend to Antony
EROS, friend to Antony
SCARUS, friend to Antony
DERCETUS, friend to Antony
DEMETRIUS, friend to Antony
PHILO, friend to Antony
MAECENAS, friend to Caesar
AGRIPPA, friend to Caesar
DOLABELLA, friend to Caesar
PROCULEIUS, friend to Caesar
THIDIAS, friend to Caesar
GALLUS, friend to Caesar
MENAS, friend to Pompey
MENECRATES, friend to Pompey
VARRIUS, friend to Pompey
TAURUS, Lieutenant-General to Caesar
CANIDIUS, Lieutenant-General to Antony
SILIUS, an Officer in Ventidius’s army
EUPHRONIUS, an Ambassador from Antony to Caesar
ALEXAS, attendant on Cleopatra
MARDIAN, attendant on Cleopatra
SELEUCUS, attendant on Cleopatra
DIOMEDES, attendant on Cleopatra
A SOOTHSAYER
A CLOWN

CLEOPATRA, Queen of Egypt
OCTAVIA, sister of Caesar and wife of Antony
CHARMIAN, Attendant of Cleopatra
IRAS, Attendant of Cleopatra

Officers, Soldiers, Messengers, and other Staff

Enter Demetrius and Philo.

PHILO.
No, this obsession of our general’s
Is way too much. Those strong eyes of his,
That have shone like a warrior’s in the heat of battle,
Now focus, now shift
Their attention and devotion
On a tanned face. His captain's heart,
Which in the chaos of fierce fights has broken
The buckles on his armor, has lost all control
And has turned into the tool
To fan a gipsy’s desires.

Flourish. Enter Antony and Cleopatra, her ladies, the train, with eunuchs fanning her.

Look where they come:
Take a good look, and you'll see in him
The strong support of the world turned
Into a fool for a prostitute. Look and see.

CLEOPATRA.
If this is really love, tell me how much.

ANTONY.
There’s a kind of begging in love that can be measured.

CLEOPATRA.
I’ll set a limit on how far I'm willing to be loved.

ANTONY.
Then you must find a new heaven, a new earth.

Enter a Messenger.

MESSENGER.
I've got news for you, my lord, from Rome.

ANTONY.
The total annoys me.

CLEOPATRA.
No, listen to them, Antony.
Fulvia might be upset; or who knows
If the barely grown Caesar has sent
His strong orders to you: “Do this or that;
Conquer that kingdom and set this one free.
If you don’t, we’ll ruin you.”

How, my love?

CLEOPATRA.
Maybe! No, probably.
You can’t stay here any longer; Caesar has sent you away,
So listen up, Antony.
Where’s Fulvia’s news?—I meant to say Caesar’s? Both?
Call in the messengers. As Egypt’s queen,
You’re blushing, Antony, and that blood of yours
Serves Caesar; otherwise, your cheek would feel shame
When loud-mouthed Fulvia yells. The messengers!

ANTONY.
Let Rome sink into the Tiber, and the grand arch
Of the vast empire collapse! This is my moment.
Kingdoms are just like clay. Our dirty earth feeds
Both beast and man equally. The greatness of life
Is to act this way [Embracing]; when such a perfect couple
And such a duo can do it, I declare,
Under threat of punishment, the world to know
We stand unmatched.

CLEOPATRA.
Great deception!
Why did he marry Fulvia if he didn't love her?
I'll pretend to be the fool I’m not. Antony
Will be himself.

ANTONY.
But influenced by Cleopatra.
Now, for the sake of love and her gentle moments,
Let’s not waste our time with harsh discussions.
Not a single minute of our lives should pass
Without some enjoyment now. What fun should we have tonight?

CLEOPATRA.
Listen to the ambassadors.

ANTONY.
Come on, arguing queen!
You look good in everything—to scold, to laugh,
To cry; every emotion in you wants
To show itself, to be beautiful and praised!
No one but you is my messenger, and alone
Tonight we’ll roam the streets and observe
The qualities of people. Let's go, my queen,
You wanted this last night. Don’t speak to us.

[Exit Antony and Cleopatra with the Train.]

DEMETRIUS.
Is Caesar with Antony valued so low?

PHILO.
Sir, sometimes when he's not being Antony,
He falls short of that impressive quality
That should always be associated with Antony.

DEMETRIUS.
I'm really sorry
That he goes along with the common liar who
Says such things about him in Rome, but I hope
For better actions tomorrow. Stay happy!

[Exit.]

Enter Enobarbus, a Soothsayer, Charmian, Iras, Mardian, and Alexas.

CHARMIAN.
Lord Alexas, sweet Alexas, almost everything Alexas, where's the soothsayer you praised to the queen? Oh, if only I knew this husband you say has to wear garlands on his horns!

ALEXAS.
Fortune Teller!

Fortuneteller.
What’s your wish?

CHARMIAN.
Is this the man? Are you the one who knows things?

SOOTHSAYER.
In nature's endless book of secrets
I can read a little.

ALEXAS.
Show him your hand.

ENOBARBUS.
Bring in the banquet fast; enough wine to toast Cleopatra’s health.

CHARMIAN.
Alright, sir, bring me some good luck.

FORTUNE TELLER.
I don’t create, I predict.

CHARMIAN.
Please, then, foresee me one.

SOOTHSAYER.
You will be even more beautiful than you are now.

CHARMIAN.
He means in person.

IRAS.
No, you should paint when you’re older.

Wrinkles, no way!

ALEXAS.
Don't annoy his foresight. Pay attention.

CHARMIAN.
Shh!

SOOTHSAYER.
You will be more loving than loved.

CHARMIAN.
I would rather drink until I’m boiling with anger.

ALEXAS.
No, listen to him.

CHARMIAN.
Great, now this is some amazing luck! Let me marry three kings in one morning and then become a widow to all of them. Let me have a child at fifty, who Herod of Judea can pay respect to. Help me get married to Octavius Caesar and keep me alongside my lady.

SOOTHSAYER.
You will outlive the lady you serve.

CHARMIAN.
Oh, wonderful! I prefer a long life over figs.

SOOTHSAYER.
You have witnessed and confirmed a better past fortune
Than the one that is coming.

CHARMIAN.
Then it looks like my kids won’t have any names. Please, how many boys and girls am I supposed to have?

SOOTHSAYER.
If each of your wishes could give birth,
And every wish was fertile, a million.

CHARMIAN.
Get out, idiot! I forgive you for being a witch.

ALEXAS.
You think that only your sheets are aware of your desires.

CHARMIAN.
No, come, tell Iras hers.

ALEXAS.
We’ll know our futures.

ENOBARBUS.
Tonight, I’ll toast to my fortune and most of ours before hitting the sack.

IRAS.
There’s a palm that symbolizes purity, if nothing else.

CHARMIAN.
Just as the overflowing Nile signals hunger.

IRAS.
Go on, you wild partner, you can't predict the future.

CHARMIAN.
No, if a greasy hand isn’t a good sign, then I can’t even scratch my ear. Please, just tell her plain old fortune.

FORTUNE TELLER.
Your fortunes are the same.

IRAS.
But how, but how? Give me details.

FORTUNE TELLER.
I have spoken.

IRAS.
Am I not a bit luckier than she is?

CHARMIAN.
Well, if you were just a little luckier than I am, where would you want it to be?

IRAS.
Not in my husband’s nostrils.

CHARMIAN.
May our worst thoughts be fixed by the heavens! Alexas—come, his fortune! his fortune! Oh, let him marry a woman who can’t walk, sweet Isis, I beg you, and let her die too, and give him someone even worse, and let even worse things happen to him, until the worst of all follows him, laughing all the way to his grave, making him a fiftyfold cuckold! Good Isis, please hear this prayer, even if you deny me something more important; good Isis, I ask you!

IRAS.
Amen. Dear goddess, hear this prayer from the people! Because, just as it's heartbreaking to see a handsome man without a faithful wife, it's a deep sorrow to see a scoundrel go unpunished. So, dear Isis, maintain order and reward him as he deserves!

CHARMIAN.
Amen.

ALEXAS.
Look, if they could turn me into a cuckold, they would make themselves whores just to do it!

Enter Cleopatra.

ENOBARBUS.
Quiet, here comes Antony.

CHARMIAN.
Not him, the queen.

CLEOPATRA.
Did you see my lord?

No, ma'am.

CLEOPATRA.
Is he not here?

CHARMIAN.
No, ma'am.

CLEOPATRA.
He was in a cheerful mood; but suddenly
A Roman thought hit him. Enobarbus!

ENOBARBUS.
Ma'am?

CLEOPATRA.
Go find him and bring him here. Where’s Alexas?

ALEXAS.
I'm here, ready to help. My lord is coming.

Enter Antony with a Messenger.

CLEOPATRA.
We're not going to see him. Come with us.

[Exit Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Charmian, Iras, Alexas and Soothsayer.]

MESSENGER.
Fulvia, your wife, was the first to arrive in the field.

ANTONY.
Against my brother Lucius.

MESSENGER.
Yeah.
But soon the war ended, and the situation brought them together, uniting their strength against Caesar, whose superior outcome in the battle from Italy drove them back at the first encounter.

ANTONY.
Well, what's the worst?

MESSENGER.
The nature of bad news spreads to the person who delivers it.

ANTONY.
When it comes to the fool or coward. On.
Things that are in the past are behind me. It’s like this:
Whoever tells me the truth, even if their story includes death,
I hear them as if they were flattering me.

MESSENGER.
Labienus—
This is tough news—he has, with his Parthian army,
Taken over Asia from the Euphrates.
His victorious banner waved from Syria
To Lydia and Ionia,
While—

ANTONY.
“Antony,” you would say—

MESSENGER.
Oh, my lord!

ANTONY.
Talk to me openly; don't sugarcoat it.
Call Cleopatra by the name she’s known by in Rome;
Insult me using Fulvia’s words, and criticize my flaws
With all the freedom that both truth and spite
Can express. Oh, we only produce problems
When our active minds are at rest, and hearing about our wrongs
Is like our harvest. Goodbye for now.

MESSENGER.
At your service.

[Log out Messenger.]

Enter another Messenger.

ANTONY.
What's the news from Sicyon? Speak up!

The guy from Sicyon—

ANTONY.
Is there anyone like that?

SECOND MESSENGER.
He is at your command.

ANTONY.
Let him show up.

[Exit second Messenger.]

I have to break these heavy Egyptian chains,
Or I risk losing my mind.

Enter another Messenger with a message.

What are you doing?

THIRD MESSENGER.
Fulvia, your wife, has died.

ANTONY.
Where did she die?

THIRD MESSENGER.
In Sicyon:
Her long illness, along with other serious matters
That you need to know, this conveys.

[Hands over a letter.]

ANTONY.
Please bear with me.

[Exit third Messenger.]

There's a great spirit that's gone! That's how I wanted it.
What we often throw away in disdain,
We want back for ourselves. The joy of the moment,
By chance diminishing, turns into
Its complete opposite. She's good, now that she's gone.
The same hand that pushed her away could pull her back.
I need to break away from this captivating queen.
A thousand troubles, more than the pains I know,
My inaction creates. What's up, Enobarbus!

Enter Enobarbus.

ENOBARBUS.
What do you want, sir?

ANTONY.
I have to leave here quickly.

ENOBARBUS.
So, we end up hurting all our women. We understand how devastating our indifference can be to them. If they endure us leaving, it’s just a matter of time until they die.

ANTONY.
I have to go.

ENOBARBUS.
In a compelling situation, let women perish. It would be a shame to disregard them for no reason, even though they might be seen as nothing compared to a great cause. Cleopatra, just hearing the slightest sound of this, dies immediately. I've watched her die twenty times over much less significant moments. I believe there is a certain spirit in death that performs some act of love upon her; she has such speed in dying.

ANTONY.
She is smarter than anyone can imagine.

ENOBARBUS.
Oh no, sir; her emotions are nothing but the purest form of love. We can't just describe her winds and waters as sighs and tears; they're much greater storms and tempests than any almanac can predict. This can't be manipulation on her part; if it is, she creates a rainstorm just like Jove.

ANTONY.
I wish I had never seen her!

ENOBARBUS.
Oh, sir, you would have missed an incredible experience that would have made your journey seem less worthwhile.

ANTONY.
Fulvia has died.

ENOBARBUS.
What is it, sir?

ANTONY.
Fulvia's dead.

Fulvia?

ANTONY.
Deceased.

ENOBARBUS.
Well, sir, give the gods a grateful offering. When the deities choose to take a man's wife, it shows that there are other women in the world; it's comforting to know that when old relationships wear out, there are new ones to be had. If Fulvia were the only woman left, then you’d have a real reason to be upset. This sadness comes with some comfort; your old shirt leads to a new dress: and honestly, the tears you shed are like the liquid in an onion that should nourish this grief.

ANTONY.
The matter she has brought up in the government
Can't handle my absence.

ENOBARBUS.
And the issue you’ve raised here can't happen without you, especially Cleopatra’s, which completely relies on your presence.

ANTONY.
No more light responses. Let our officers
Be informed of our plans. I will explain
The reason for our urgency to the Queen,
And seek her permission to leave. For not only
The death of Fulvia, with more pressing matters,
Urgently calls to us, but also the letters from
Many of our friends in Rome
Are urging us to return home. Sextus Pompeius
Has challenged Caesar and controls
The empire of the sea. Our fickle people,
Whose loyalty is never attached to the worthy
Until their worth is proven, are starting to favor
Pompey the Great and all his honors
Towards his son, who, high in name and power,
Even more so in blood and life, stands up
For the main soldier; whose reputation, moving forward,
Could threaten the world. Much is developing
Which, like a horse's hair, is still just alive
And not yet dangerously poisonous. Our wishes
To those beneath us require
Our quick exit from here.

I'll do it.

[Exit.]

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Alexas, and Iras.

CLEOPATRA.
Where is he now?

CHARMIAN.
I haven't seen him since.

CLEOPATRA.
Go check where he is, who's with him, and what he's doing.
I didn't send you. If you find him in a bad mood,
Tell him I'm dancing; if he's in a good mood, say
That I'm suddenly sick. Hurry back.

[Exit Alexas.]

CHARMIAN.
Madam, I think that if you really loved him,
You wouldn't use the method to make him
Feel the same way.

CLEOPATRA.
What should I do? I don’t know.

CHARMIAN.
In everything, let him have his way; don't go against him on anything.

CLEOPATRA.
You're teaching like an idiot: that's how to push him away.

CHARMIAN.
Don’t push him too far; please, hold back.
Over time, we grow to dislike what we frequently fear.
But here comes Antony.

Enter Antony.

CLEOPATRA.
I'm feeling unwell and down.

ANTONY.
I’m sorry to express my intentions—

CLEOPATRA.
Help me get away, dear Charmian! I’m going to collapse.
It can’t go on like this for long; nature can’t endure it.

ANTONY.
Now, my beloved queen—

CLEOPATRA.
Please stand further away from me.

ANTONY.
What's wrong?

CLEOPATRA.
I can tell by that look that you have some good news.
What, can the married woman let you go?
I wish she had never allowed you to come!
Don’t let her think it’s me who’s keeping you here.
I have no control over you; you belong to her.

ANTONY.
Only the gods know—

CLEOPATRA.
Oh, never has there been a queen
So deeply betrayed! Yet at the start
I recognized the treachery beginning.

ANTONY.
Cleopatra—

CLEOPATRA.
Why should I believe you can be mine and loyal,
When you swear by the throned gods,
Who have betrayed Fulvia? It's crazy madness,
To get caught up in those empty promises
That fall apart with your swearing!

ANTONY.
Most awesome queen—

CLEOPATRA.
No, please don’t look for reasons to leave,
Just say goodbye and go. When you wanted to stay,
That was the time for words. There was no leaving then,
Eternity was on our lips and in our eyes,
Happiness was between our brows; none of us was so humble
That we didn’t have a touch of heaven. They still are,
Or you, the greatest soldier in the world,
Have become the greatest liar.

Hey there, lady!

CLEOPATRA.
I wish I had your height, then you would know
There was a heart in Egypt.

ANTONY.
Listen to me, queen:
The urgent demands of the moment require
Our services for a while, but my whole heart
Is still committed to you. Our Italy
Is filled with civil conflict; Sextus Pompeius
Is approaching the port of Rome;
The rivalry between two local powers
Creates tense divisions; those who were once hated,
Now gaining strength, have recently begun to unite; the condemned Pompey,
Wealthy from his father's legacy, slowly
Infiltrates the hearts of those who haven't thrived
In the current situation, whose numbers pose a threat;
And those tired of peace, wanting to shake things up,
Would welcome any drastic change. What concerns me most,
And what should ensure my safe departure with you,
Is Fulvia’s death.

CLEOPATRA.
Even though getting older hasn't freed me from my mistakes,
it has freed me from being childish. Can Fulvia really die?

ANTONY.
She’s dead, my queen.
Look here, and at your own pace read
The troubles she stirred up; finally, the best part,
See when and where she died.

CLEOPATRA.
Oh, what a deceitful love!
Where are the sacred vials you should be filling
With tears of sorrow? Now I understand, I understand,
From Fulvia's death how mine will turn out.

ANTONY.
Stop arguing, and be ready to understand
The reasons I have; they will continue or stop,
Depending on your guidance. By the fire
That brings life to the mud of the Nile, I leave here
As your soldier and servant, making peace or war
As you wish.

CLEOPATRA.
Cut my lace, Charmian, come!
But never mind; I get sick and better quickly,
Just like Antony loves.

ANTONY.
My dear queen, please hold back,
And show the true proof of his love, which is
A noble test.

CLEOPATRA.
So Fulvia told me.
Please, turn away and cry for her,
Then say goodbye to me, and let the tears
Be for Egypt. Now, put on a good act,
And make it seem like complete honor.

ANTONY.
You’re going to make me so angry. Enough.

CLEOPATRA.
You can do even better, but this is decent.

ANTONY.
Now, by my sword—

CLEOPATRA.
And aim. Yet he still repairs himself.
But this is not the best. Look, please, Charmian,
How this strong Roman fits the way he holds his anger.

ANTONY.
I'm leaving you, lady.

CLEOPATRA.
Polite lord, just one word.
Sir, you and I have to say goodbye, but that’s not it;
Sir, you and I have been in love, but that’s not it;
You know that well. There’s something I want to—
Oh, my forgetfulness feels just like Antony,
And I’m completely forgotten.

ANTONY.
If your royal status
Wasn't just letting you sit around doing nothing, I would think
You were nothing but idleness itself.

CLEOPATRA.
It’s exhausting to deal with so much idleness
Right here in my heart like this, as Cleopatra does. But, sir, please forgive me,
Because my feelings overwhelm me when they don’t
Focus on you. Your honor requires your attention elsewhere;
So please ignore my foolishness,
And may all the gods be with you! May you carry
The laurel of victory on your sword, and may smooth success
Be laid before your feet!

ANTONY.
Let's go. Come on.
Our separation is so strong and quick
That you, staying here, still go with me,
And I, leaving, still stay with you.
Let's get out of here!

[Exit.]

Enter Octavius [Caesar], Lepidus and their entourage.

CAESAR.
You can see this, Lepidus, and from now on know,
It’s not in Caesar’s nature to hate
Our great rival. This is the news from Alexandria:
He’s fishing, drinking, and wasting
The nights in partying: he’s not more masculine
Than Cleopatra, nor is the queen of Ptolemy
More feminine than he; hardly listened, or
Even thought he had anyone to share with. You’ll find there
A man who is the embodiment of all faults
That all men pursue.

LEPIDUS.
I can't believe there are
Enough bad things to overshadow all his goodness.
His flaws seem like stars in the sky,
More intense against the darkness of night; they are hereditary
Rather than acquired; more about what he cannot change
Than what he chooses.

CAESAR.
You're being too lenient. Let’s say it's not
Wrong to roll around on Ptolemy's bed,
To trade a kingdom for a laugh, to sit
And drink with a slave, to stumble through the streets at noon,
And take hits from guys who smell like sweat. If you say this suits him—
His composure must be really exceptional
If these things can’t tarnish it—but Antony
Should by no means excuse his failures when we carry
Such a heavy burden from his carelessness. If he fills
His emptiness with excess,
Full of indulgence and the ache in his bones
Call on him for that. But to waste such time
That pulls him away from his fun, and speaks as loud
As his own situation and ours, is to be reprimanded
Like we scold boys who, being wise beyond their years,
Trade their wisdom for immediate pleasure
And thus rebel against good judgment.

Enter a Messenger.

LEPIDUS.
Here’s the latest news.

MESSENGER.
Your commands have been carried out, and every hour,
Most noble Caesar, you will receive updates
On what's happening out there. Pompey is powerful at sea,
And it seems he is favored by those
Who have only ever feared Caesar. To the ports
The dissatisfied flock, and people's reports
Paint him as greatly wronged.

CAESAR.
I should have known better.
We've been taught since the beginning
That someone who exists was desired until they existed,
And the man who is spent, never loved until he was unworthy of love,
Becomes more valuable by being missed. This common body,
Like a wanderer's flag on the water,
Moves back and forth, following the changing tide,
To waste away with all this movement.

Enter a second Messenger.

SECOND MESSENGER.
Caesar, I have news for you.
Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates,
Make the sea their own, which they harvest and damage
With ships of all kinds. They frequently raid
Italy—the coastal areas
Are terrified—and restless youth rebel.
No ship can appear without being swiftly
Captured as soon as it’s spotted; for Pompey’s name carries more
Weight than his army ever could.

CAESAR.
Antony,
Stop your wild partying. Remember when you were driven out of Modena, where you killed
Hirtius and Pansa, the consuls? Famine followed you,
despite your fancy upbringing, enduring it with more
patience than even savages could endure. You drank
horse urine and gold-colored puddles
that animals would turn away from. You were so desperate
you ate the roughest berry from the wildest hedge.
Just like a stag when snow covers the field,
you chewed on the bark of trees. In the Alps,
it’s said you ate strange meats
that some died just to see. And all this—
it hurts your honor that I mention it now—
you handled like a soldier so well that your cheek
never even flinched.

LEPIDUS.
It’s a pity for him.

CAESAR.
Let his shame quickly
Drive him to Rome. It’s time we both
Show ourselves in the field, and to that end
Let’s gather an immediate council. Pompey
Is thriving in our inactivity.

LEPIDUS.
Tomorrow, Caesar,
I'll be ready to give you the accurate details
About what I can handle by sea and land
To face the current situation.

CAESAR.
Until that encounter
It's my business as well. Goodbye.

LEPIDUS.
Goodbye, my lord. While you're away,
Please keep me in the loop about any happenings,
I kindly ask you, sir,
To let me be involved.

CAESAR.
Don’t doubt it, sir.
I knew it was my obligation.

[Exit.]

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Mardian.

CLEOPATRA.
Charmian!

CHARMIAN.
Ma'am?

CLEOPATRA.
Ha, ha!
Give me some mandrake to drink.

CHARMIAN.
Why, ma'am?

CLEOPATRA.
I wish I could just sleep through this long time
while my Antony is gone.

CHARMIAN.
You're thinking about him too much.

CLEOPATRA.
Oh, it's treason!

CHARMIAN.
Madam, I hope not.

CLEOPATRA.
You, eunuch Mardian!

MARDIAN.
What’s your highness's pleasure?

CLEOPATRA.
I don’t want to hear you sing right now. I find no joy
In anything that a eunuch has to offer. It’s good for you
That, being uncircumcised, your unrestrained thoughts
Can’t escape from Egypt. Do you have any feelings?

MARDIAN.
Yes, thank you, ma'am.

CLEOPATRA.
Really?

MARDIAN.
Not really, ma'am, because I can only do what's right.
Still, I have strong feelings, and I think
About what Venus did with Mars.

CLEOPATRA.
Oh, Charmian,
Where do you think he is now? Is he standing, or sitting?
Is he walking? Or is he on his horse?
Oh happy horse, to carry the weight of Antony!
Do well, horse, for do you know who you’re carrying?
The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm
And helmet of men. He’s speaking now,
Or murmuring “Where’s my serpent from the Nile?”
That’s what he calls me. Now I feed myself
With the most delicious poison. Think of me
Who am marked by Phœbus’ romantic touches and age,
And deeply etched in time? Broad-fronted Caesar,
When you were above ground, I was
A treat for a king. And great Pompey
Would stand and let his eyes grow in my brow;
There he would hold his gaze and die
Just from looking at his life.

Enter Alexas.

ALEXAS.
Queen of Egypt, hail!

CLEOPATRA.
You are so different from Mark Antony!
But, coming from him, that great remedy has
With his touch made you shine.
How are things with my brave Mark Antony?

ALEXAS.
The last thing he did, dear queen,
He kissed—just one of many kisses—
This eastern pearl. His words linger in my heart.

CLEOPATRA.
I have to hear it for myself.

ALEXAS.
“Good friend,” he said,
“Tell me, the strong Roman sends to great Egypt
This treasure of an oyster; at whose foot,
To improve this small gift, I will enhance
Her luxurious throne with kingdoms. The entire East,
You say, will recognize her as their mistress.” So he nodded
And carefully got on a skinny horse,
Who neighed so loudly that what I wanted to say
Was silenced by him.

CLEOPATRA.
Was he upset or happy?

ALEXAS.
Just like the time of year between the extremes
Of hot and cold, he was neither sad nor happy.

CLEOPATRA.
Oh, what a well-balanced character!—Look at him,
Look at him, dear Charmian, it's the man; but really look at him:
He wasn't sad, because he would shine on those
Who reflect his mood; he wasn't happy,
Which seemed to show that his thoughts were
In Egypt with his joy; but it was a mix of both.
Oh, what a beautiful blend!—Whether you're sad or happy,
The intensity of either suits you,
Just like it suits no one else.—Did you meet my messengers?

ALEXAS.
Yes, ma'am, twenty different messengers.
Why are you sending so many?

CLEOPATRA.
Whoever is born that day
When I forget to send to Antony
Will die a beggar.—Ink and paper, Charmian.—
Welcome, my good Alexas.—Did I, Charmian,
Ever love Caesar as much?

CHARMIAN.
Oh that brave Caesar!

CLEOPATRA.
Be choked with that kind of emphasis again!
Say “the brave Antony.”

CHARMIAN.
Brave Caesar!

CLEOPATRA.
By Isis, I will give you bloody teeth
If you compare my man to Caesar again.

CHARMIAN.
With your kind permission,
I sing only after you.

CLEOPATRA.
My carefree days,
When I was naive in judgment, unemotional,
To say what I said back then. But come on,
Get me ink and paper.
He should get a personal greeting every day,
Or I’ll empty out Egypt.

[Exit.]

Enter Pompey, Menecrates and Menas in a warlike way.

POMPEY.
If the gods are fair, they will help
The actions of the most righteous people.

MENECRATES.
Just so you know, respected Pompey,
That what they are putting off, they are not rejecting.

POMPEY.
While we are asking for their throne, what we're trying to achieve is falling apart.

MENECRATES.
We, unaware of ourselves,
Frequently ask for things that harm us, which the wise forces
Deny us for our own benefit; thus we discover that we gain
By losing our requests.

POMPEY.
I’ll be just fine.
The people love me, and the sea belongs to me;
My influence is growing, and my hopeful predictions
Say it will reach its peak. Mark Antony
Is dining in Egypt and won’t engage
In any wars away from home. Caesar gains wealth while
He loses support. Lepidus flatters both,
Is flattered by both; but he doesn’t love
Either of them or really care about him.

MENAS.
Caesar and Lepidus
Are in the field. They have a powerful force with them.

POMPEY.
Where did you get this? It's not true.

MENAS.
From Silvius, sir.

POMPEY.
He’s dreaming. I know they’re in Rome together,
Searching for Antony. But all the love charms,
Salty Cleopatra, soften your faded lips!
Let magic mix with beauty, desire with both;
Trap the libertine in a banquet hall;
Keep his mind buzzing. Gourmet chefs
Sharpen his appetite with irresistible flavors,
So that sleep and feasting may delay his honor
Even until a forgetful dullness—

Enter Varrius.

What's up, Varrius!

VARRIUS.
I'm sure of this:
Mark Antony is expected in Rome every hour.
Since he left Egypt, it’s been a long journey.

POMPEY.
I could have paid less attention
A better ear.—Menas, I didn't think
This love-obsessed guy would suit up
For such a small conflict. His military skills
Are twice as good as the other two. But let’s raise
Our expectations, that our actions
Can pull the never-satisfied Antony
From the lap of Egypt’s widow.

MENAS.
I can't expect
Caesar and Antony to get along well together.
His wife, who’s dead, wronged Caesar;
His brother fought against him, though I believe,
Not because of Antony.

POMPEY.
I don't know, Menas,
How smaller conflicts can lead to bigger ones.
If we weren't standing against them all,
It would be obvious they should fight it out among themselves,
Because they have plenty of reasons
To draw their swords. But how our presence
Might hold their divisions together and resolve
Their minor disagreements, we still don't know.
Let it be however our gods decide! It only matters
That we use our strongest efforts to survive.
Come on, Menas.

[Exit.]

Enter Enobarbus and Lepidus.

LEPIDUS.
Good Enobarbus, it's a noble act,
And it will suit you well to ask your captain
To speak softly and kindly.

ENOBARBUS.
I’ll ask him
To respond like he normally would. If Caesar tries to manipulate him,
Let Antony rise above Caesar
And speak as boldly as Mars. By Jupiter,
If I were wearing Antony’s beard,
I wouldn’t shave it off today.

LEPIDUS.
This isn't the time
For personal grievances.

ENOBARBUS.
Every time
Serves for the situation that comes up then.

LEPIDUS.
But smaller matters must yield to bigger ones.

ENOBARBUS.
Not if the small come first.

LEPIDUS.
Your words are full of passion;
But please don't ignite any flames. Here comes
The noble Antony.

Enter Antony and Ventidius.

ENOBARBUS.
And check out Caesar.

Enter Caesar, Maecenas, and Agrippa.

ANTONY.
If we do this right, we can head to Parthia.
Listen up, Ventidius.

CAESAR.
I don't know, Maecenas. Ask Agrippa.

LEPIDUS.
Noble friends,
What brought us together is significant, so let's not
Let a minor issue tear us apart. If there’s something wrong,
Let’s take it lightly. When we argue
About our petty differences loudly, we actually commit
Murder while trying to heal our wounds. So, dear partners,
I sincerely urge you,
To approach the harshest points with kind words,
And let anger not take hold of the conversation.

ANTONY.
That’s well said.
If we were in front of our armies and about to fight,
I would do this.

CAESAR.
Welcome to Rome.

Thanks.

CAESAR.
Have a seat.

ANTONY.
Have a seat, sir.

CAESAR.
No, then.

ANTONY.
I hear you get upset over things that aren't true,
Or that don't even involve you.

CAESAR.
I would be a joke
If I were to take offense for no reason or just a small one,
Especially from you, the person I respect most in the world; it would be even more ridiculous that I should
Ever speak of you in a negative way when your name
Has nothing to do with me.

ANTONY.
My time in Egypt, Caesar,
What did it matter to you?

CAESAR.
Just like my staying here in Rome
Could matter to you in Egypt. But if you were
To plot against my position, your presence in Egypt
Could be my concern.

ANTONY.
How do you plan, practiced?

CAESAR.
You might be interested in what I meant
By what happened to me here. Your wife and brother
Made war against me, and their conflict
Was a topic for you; you were the talk of war.

ANTONY.
You're getting it wrong. My brother never
Pushed me to do anything. I looked into it,
And got my information from some reliable sources
Who fought alongside you. Didn’t he instead
Undermine my authority with yours,
Making us both at odds with each other,
Since we have the same cause? My letters
Already clarified this for you. If you want to start a fight,
And you don't have a solid reason for it,
It can’t be with this.

CAESAR.
You boost your own ego
By blaming my judgment; but
You've just made excuses.

ANTONY.
No, not at all.
I know you wouldn't lack—I’m sure of it—
The very need for this thought, that I,
Your partner in the cause against which he fought,
Couldn't calmly watch those battles
That threatened my own peace. As for my wife,
I wish you had her spirit in another.
A third of the world is yours, which you can handle
Easily, but not such a wife.

ENOBARBUS.
I wish we all had wives like that, so the men
Could go to war with the women.

ANTONY.
Her outbursts were so uncontrollable, Caesar,
Born from her impatience—which didn't lack
Cleverness either—I regret to say
I upset you too much. But you have to
Understand that I couldn't help it.

CAESAR.
I wrote to you
When there was a riot in Alexandria; you
Put my letters aside, and with mockery
Dismissed my message without a response.

ANTONY.
Sir,
He attacked me before I was even let in, then.
I had just hosted three kings and felt empty
Compared to who I was in the morning. But the next day
I told him about myself, which was like
Asking him for forgiveness. Let’s not involve this guy
In our conflict; if we fight,
Let’s forget about him completely.

CAESAR.
You have violated
The terms of your oath, which you will never
Be able to accuse me of.

LEPIDUS.
Easy there, Caesar!

ANTONY.
No, Lepidus, let him speak.
The honor is sacred that he’s discussing now,
Assuming that I don’t have it. But go on, Caesar:
The terms of my oath?

CAESAR.
You both refused to lend me arms and help when I needed them.

ANTONY.
More like ignored;
And then when toxic moments held me back
From what I knew. As much as I can
I’ll act like I'm sorry to you. But my honesty
Won’t diminish my greatness, nor will my power
Function without it. The truth is that Fulvia,
To get me out of Egypt, started wars here,
For which I, the clueless reason behind it, do
Ask for forgiveness just enough to keep my honor
By lowering myself in such a situation.

LEPIDUS.
That's noble to say.

MAECENAS.
If it would be okay with you to not bring up
The troubles between you anymore; to just forget them
Would mean recognizing that the current situation
Calls for you to make amends.

LEPIDUS.
Well said, Maecenas.

ENOBARBUS.
Or, if you temporarily share each other's love, you can return it once you stop hearing about Pompey. You'll have time to argue when you have nothing better to do.

ANTONY.
You're just a soldier. Don't say anything more.

ENOBARBUS.
I had almost forgotten that the truth should remain silent.

ANTONY.
You're disrespecting this situation; so don’t say anything else.

ENOBARBUS.
Okay then. Your thoughtful stone!

CAESAR.
I don't really mind the content, but
The way he speaks bothers me; it can't be
That we can stay friends when our actions
Are so different. Yet if I knew
What bond could keep us steady from one end
Of the world to the other, I would go after it.

AGRIPPA.
Allow me to go, Caesar.

CAESAR.
Speak, Agrippa.

AGRIPPA.
You have a sister on your mother’s side,
The admired Octavia. Great Mark Antony
Is now a widower.

CAESAR.
Don't say that, Agrippa.
If Cleopatra heard you, your criticism
Would be completely justified for being so reckless.

ANTONY.
I'm not married, Caesar. Let me hear
Agrippa say more.

AGRIPPA.
To keep you united,
To make you brothers, and to connect your hearts
With a strong bond, take Antony
Octavia as his wife; whose beauty deserves
No less than the best of men;
Whose virtues and overall qualities express
What no one else can articulate. Through this marriage,
All the minor jealousies, which seem significant now,
And all the major fears, which appear dangerous now,
Would then become insignificant. What are now truths
Would be mere stories, where half-truths are accepted as real. Her love for both
Would tie them together, and all loves towards both,
Would follow her lead. Forgive what I have said,
For it’s a thought I’ve pondered, not a spontaneous one,
Reflected upon out of obligation.

ANTONY.
Is Caesar going to speak?

CAESAR.
Not until he hears how Antony is affected
By what has already been said.

ANTONY.
What power does Agrippa have,
If I say "Agrippa, let it be,"
To make this happen?

CAESAR.
The power of Caesar, and
His power over Octavia.

ANTONY.
I hope I never
To this good purpose, which is so beautifully clear,
Dream of any obstacles! Just give me your hand.
Support this act of kindness; and from this moment
Let the hearts of brothers guide our loves
And steer our great plans!

CAESAR.
Here’s my hand.
I’m giving you a sister, whom no brother
Has ever loved so dearly. Let her live
To unite our kingdoms and our hearts; and never
Separate our loves again!

LEPIDUS.
Gladly, amen!

ANTONY.
I never expected to draw my sword against Pompey,
Because he's shown me unusual kindness and respect
Recently. I should thank him, at least,
To avoid being remembered poorly;
After that, I can challenge him.

LEPIDUS.
Time is urging us.
We must go find Pompey right away,
Or else he will come looking for us.

ANTONY.
Where is he?

CAESAR.
About Mount Misena.

ANTONY.
What is his power on land?

CAESAR.
Great and growing; but by sea
He is in complete control.

ANTONY.
So is the fame.
I wish we had talked together! Let's hurry for it.
But before we gear up, let's take care of the business we discussed.

CAESAR.
I’m really happy,
And I want to invite you to see my sister,
Where I’ll take you right away.

ANTONY.
Come on, Lepidus, we need you with us.

LEPIDUS.
Noble Antony, illness shouldn’t keep me here.

[Flourish. Everyone leaves except Enobarbus, Agrippa and Maecenas.]

Welcome from Egypt, sir.

ENOBARBUS.
Half of Caesar's heart, dear Maecenas! My respected friend, Agrippa!

AGRIPPA.
Hey Enobarbus!

MAECENAS.
We're pleased that everything has been settled so nicely. You did well to stay there in Egypt.

ENOBARBUS.
Yeah, sir, we did sleep all day and lit up the night with drinking.

MAECENAS.
Eight wild boars roasted whole for breakfast, and only twelve people there. Is that true?

ENOBARBUS.
This was just like a fly in front of an eagle. We had much more extraordinary things to enjoy, which truly deserved attention.

MAECENAS.
She's a truly impressive lady, if the rumors about her are true.

ENOBARBUS.
When she first met Mark Antony, she captured his heart on the river Cydnus.

AGRIPPA.
There she really appeared, or my reporter did a great job imagining her.

ENOBARBUS.
I’ll tell you.
The barge she sat in, like a shiny throne,
Sparkled on the water. The stern was made of gold;
The sails were purple, and they were so fragrant that
The winds seemed lovesick for them; the oars were silver,
Keeping time to flutes, making
The water they struck follow faster,
As if it were eager for their rhythm. As for her appearance,
It was beyond words: she lay
In her tent, made of gold fabric,
Outshining even Venus herself. On each side of her
Stood cute, dimpled boys, like smiling Cupids,
With colorful fans, whose breeze seemed
To warm the delicate cheeks they cooled,
And whatever they fanned, they unleashed.

AGRIPPA. Oh, rare for Antony!

ENOBARBUS.
Her ladies, like the Nereids,
So many mermaids, attended her in the eyes,
And made their movements elegant. At the helm
A seeming mermaid steers. The silky ropes
Swell with the touch of those flower-soft hands
That skillfully handle the task. From the barge
A strange, invisible perfume hits the senses
Of the nearby docks. The city cast
Her people out upon her, and Antony,
Seated in the marketplace, sat alone,
Whistling into the air, which, but for emptiness,
Would have gone to gaze on Cleopatra too,
Creating a void in nature.

AGRIPPA.
Rare Egyptian!

ENOBARBUS.
When she arrived, Antony sent for her,
Invited her to dinner. She responded
That it would be better if he came to her,
Which she begged for. Our gracious Antony,
Who has never heard a woman say "No,"
After getting groomed ten times, heads to the feast,
And, as usual, pays with his heart
For what his eyes alone desire.

AGRIPPA.
Royal mistress!
She had great Caesar put his sword away.
He took her, and she gave birth.

ENOBARBUS.
I saw her once
Hop forty steps down the street
And, out of breath, she spoke and gasped,
That she made flaws seem perfect,
And, breathless, let breath escape.

MAECENAS.
Now Antony has to leave her completely.

ENOBARBUS.
Never. He won't.
Age can’t diminish her, nor can habit dull
Her endless charm. Other women satisfy
The desires they cater to, but she creates a craving
Where most women fulfill. For the most despicable things
Find their essence in her, that even the holy priests
Bless her when she acts shamelessly.

MAECENAS.
If beauty, wisdom, and modesty can win over
The heart of Antony, then Octavia is
A lucky prize for him.

AGRIPPA.
Let's go.
Sure, Enobarbus, make yourself my guest
While you're staying here.

ENOBARBUS.
Thanks, sir, I appreciate it.

[Exit.]

Enter Antony, Caesar, Octavia among them.

ANTONY.
The world and my important role will sometimes
Separate me from you.

OCTAVIA.
During that time
Before the gods, I'll kneel and pray
To them for you.

ANTONY.
Good night, sir.—My Octavia,
Don't judge my flaws based on what the world says.
I haven't always acted right, but from now on
Everything will be done by the book. Good night, dear lady.

OCTAVIA.
Good night, sir.

CAESAR.
Good night.

[Exit Caesar and Octavia.]

Enter Fortune Teller.

ANTONY.
So, do you really want to be in Egypt?

SOOTHSAYER.
I wish I had never come from there, nor you from there!

ANTONY.
If you can, your logic.

SOOTHSAYER.
I sense it in my actions, but can't express it with my words.
Still, hurry back to Egypt.

ANTONY.
Tell me,
Whose fortunes will rise higher, Caesar's or mine?

SOOTHSAYER.
Caesar’s.
So, Antony, don’t stay by his side.
Your inner spirit—that force that guides you—is
Noble, brave, elevated, unmatched,
While Caesar’s is not. But close to him, your guardian
Becomes afraid, as if overwhelmed. So
Keep a safe distance between you.

ANTONY.
Stop saying this.

SOOTHSAYER.
Only to you; nothing more than to you.
If you play any game with him,
You’re guaranteed to lose; and with his natural luck,
He beats you no matter the odds. Your shine fades
When he’s around. I say again, your spirit
Is too scared to be in control when he’s near;
But when he’s gone, you’re impressive.

ANTONY.
Get out of here.
Tell Ventidius I want to talk to him.

[Exit Fortune Teller.]

He’s going to Parthia. Whether it’s skill or luck, He has spoken the truth. The dice seem to follow him, And during our games, my better skills fade Against his good fortune. If we draw lots, he wins; His roosters always win the fight against mine When it’s all meaningless, and his quails always Beat mine, all caged, at the odds. I’m going to Egypt: And even though I’m making this marriage for my peace, I find my enjoyment in the East.

Enter Ventidius.

O, come, Ventidius,
You have to go to Parthia. Your assignment is ready.
Follow me and get it.

[Exit.]

Enter Lepidus, Maecenas, and Agrippa.

LEPIDUS.
Don't worry about it anymore. Please hurry
Your generals along.

AGRIPPA.
Sir, Mark Antony
Will just kiss Octavia, and we’ll follow.

LEPIDUS.
Until I see you in your soldier's outfit,
Which will suit you both, goodbye.

MAECENAS.
We will,
As I see it, arrive at the Mount
Before you, Lepidus.

LEPIDUS.
Your path is quicker;
My goals take me in many directions.
You’ll gain two days on me.

Both.
Sir, good luck!

LEPIDUS.
Goodbye.

[Exit.]

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, Alexas.

CLEOPATRA.
Play some music for me—music, the food for my mood
For those of us who deal in love.

ALL.
The music, yo!

Enter Mardian, the castrated man.

CLEOPATRA.
Forget it. Let's play billiards. Come on, Charmian.

CHARMIAN.
My arm hurts. I should play with Mardian.

CLEOPATRA.
Just as I can play with a eunuch, I can play with a woman. Come on, will you play with me, sir?

MARDIAN.
As well as I can, ma'am.

CLEOPATRA.
And when goodwill is shown, even if it falls short,
The performer can ask for forgiveness. I don’t want any of that now.
Give me my fishing rod; we’ll head to the river. There,
With my music playing in the distance, I’ll lure
Brown-finned fish. My bent hook will pierce
Their slimy mouths, and as I pull them up,
I’ll imagine each one is an Antony,
And say “Ah, ha! You’re caught.”

CHARMIAN.
It was a good time when
You bet on your fishing; when your diver
Hung a salt fish on his hook, which he
Eagerly pulled up.

CLEOPATRA.
That time?—Oh, those days!—
I laughed him into frustration; and that night
I laughed him into calm, and the next morning,
Before the ninth hour, I got him drunk to his bed,
Then I put my clothes and capes on him, while
I wore his Philippan sword.

Enter Messenger.

O! from Italy!
Bring your wonderful news to my ears,
That have been empty for so long.

MESSENGER.
Ma'am, ma'am—

CLEOPATRA.
Antony’s dead! If you say that, villain,
You’re killing your mistress. But fine and free,
If you give him up, there’s gold here, and here
My bluest veins to kiss, a hand that kings
Have touched and trembled while kissing.

MESSENGER.
First, ma'am, he's good.

CLEOPATRA.
Why, there’s more gold.
But listen, we usually say
That the dead are fine. If it comes to that,
The gold I give you will I melt and pour
Down your foul-speaking throat.

MESSENGER.
Good lady, listen to me.

CLEOPATRA.
Alright, I will.
But you don't look good if Antony
Is healthy and fine. How can you have such a sour expression
When bringing such great news? If you’re not well,
You should come like a Fury crowned with snakes,
Not like a proper gentleman.

MESSENGER.
Would you please listen to me?

CLEOPATRA.
I feel like hitting you before you even say a word.
But if you tell me Antony is alive, doing well,
Or is friends with Caesar, or not held captive by him,
I’ll shower you with gold and drench you in
Rich pearls.

MESSENGER.
Ma'am, he's doing well.

CLEOPATRA.
Well said.

MESSENGER.
And friends with Caesar.

CLEOPATRA.
You're an honest man.

MESSENGER.
Caesar and he are closer friends than ever.

CLEOPATRA.
Profit from me.

MESSENGER.
But still, ma'am—

CLEOPATRA.
I don’t like “But yet”; it just undermines
The good introduction. Ugh, “But yet”!
“But yet” is like a jailer bringing out
Some horrible criminal. Please, friend,
Lay it all out for me, the good and the bad: he’s friends with Caesar,
In good health, you say; and you say he’s free.

MESSENGER.
Free, ma'am? No. I didn't say that.
He's committed to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA.
For what favor?

MESSENGER.
For the best turn in the bed.

CLEOPATRA.
I'm pale, Charmian.

MESSENGER.
Ma'am, he's married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA.
The most contagious disease upon you!

[Knocks him down.]

MESSENGER.
Good ma'am, please be patient.

CLEOPATRA.
What do you think?

Strikes him again.

Hence, you horrible villain, or I’ll treat your eyes
Like balls before me! I’ll tear your hair out!

She always criticizes him.

You will be whipped with wire and soaked in brine,
Stinging in lingering pickle.

MESSENGER.
Dear madam,
I’m the one delivering the news, but I didn’t make the arrangement.

CLEOPATRA.
Don’t say that’s true, I’ll give you a province,
And elevate your fortunes. The hit you took
Will earn you peace for making me angry,
And I’ll reward you with whatever gift
Your modesty can ask for.

MESSENGER.
He's married, ma'am.

CLEOPATRA.
You scoundrel, you’ve lived too long.

[Pulls out a knife.]

MESSENGER.
Alright, I'm out of here.
What do you mean, ma'am? I haven't done anything wrong.

[Log out.]

CHARMIAN.
Please, ma'am, stay composed.
The man is innocent.

CLEOPATRA.
Some innocent people can’t avoid the lightning strike.
Turn Egypt into the Nile, and gentle beings
Become all serpents! Call the slave again.
Even though I’m crazy, I won’t harm him. Call!

CHARMIAN.
He's afraid to come.

CLEOPATRA.
I won't hurt him.

[Exit Charmian.]

These hands lack the nobility to strike
Someone lesser than me, since I’ve
Brought this on myself.

Enter the Messenger again with Charmian.

Come here, sir.
Even if it's the truth, it's never good
To deliver bad news. Share a positive message
With many voices, but let the bad news speak
For itself when it arrives.

MESSENGER.
I've done my part.

CLEOPATRA.
Is he married?
I can't hate you any more than I already do
If you say “Yes” again.

MESSENGER.
He’s married, ma'am.

CLEOPATRA.
The gods mess with you! Are you still standing there?

MESSENGER.
Should I lie, ma'am?

CLEOPATRA.
Oh, I wish you did,
So that half my Egypt would be underwater and turned
Into a pit for scaled snakes! Go, get out of here.
If you had Narcissus's face, to me
You would still seem really ugly. Is he married?

MESSENGER.
I seek your highness’ forgiveness.

CLEOPATRA.
Is he married?

MESSENGER.
Don't take offense that I don't want to offend you.
Punishing me for what you force me to do
Seems really unfair. He's married to Octavia.

CLEOPATRA.
Oh, that his mistake should turn you into a fool
When you aren't even sure of yourself! Get out of here!
The goods you’ve brought from Rome
Are way too expensive for me. Let them weigh you down,
And be ruined by them!

[Log out Messenger.]

CHARMIAN.
Good, your highness, please wait.

CLEOPATRA.
In praising Antony, I've criticized Caesar.

CHARMIAN.
Many times, ma'am.

CLEOPATRA.
I'm being paid for it now.
Take me away from here;
I feel faint. Oh Iras, Charmian! It doesn't matter.
Go to that guy, good Alexas, and tell him
To describe Octavia's looks, her age,
Her personality; make sure he includes
The color of her hair. Bring me news quickly.

[Exit Alexas.]

Let him go forever—don’t stop him, Charmian.
Even if he looks like a Gorgon from one side,
the other side shows a Mars. [To Mardian] Tell Alexas
to come and let me know how tall she is. Have pity on me, Charmian,
but don’t say anything to me. Just take me to my room.

[Exit.]

Flourish. Enter Pompeii and Menas at one door, with drum and trumpet; at another, Caesar, Lepidus, Antony, Enobarbus, Maecenas, Agrippa, with soldiers marching.

POMPEY.
I have your hostages, and you have mine,
And we will talk before we fight.

CAESAR.
It's best
That we start by talking, so we have
Our written plans in front of us,
If you've thought it over, let us know
If it’ll calm your restless anger
And take back to Sicily many brave young men
Who would otherwise die here.

POMPEY.
To all three of you,
The senators of this vast world,
Key players for the gods: I don’t understand
Why my father should want for revenge,
Having a son and friends, since Julius Caesar,
Who at Philippi was haunted by the ghost of good Brutus,
There you saw him fighting for him. What was it
That prompted pale Cassius to plot? And what
Led the esteemed, honest Roman, Brutus,
Along with the armed crew, supporters of true freedom,
To soak the Capitol in blood, if not for the desire
To have one man be just a man? And that’s why
I’ve equipped my navy, whose weight
Makes the furious ocean churn, with which I intend
To punish the ingratitude that spiteful Rome
Showed towards my noble father.

CAESAR.
Take your time.

ANTONY.
You can't intimidate us, Pompey, with your ships.
We'll talk to you at sea. On land, you know
How much we outnumber you.

POMPEY.
On land, it’s true
You outnumber me from my father’s house;
But since the cuckoo doesn’t build a nest for itself,
Stay in it as you can.

LEPIDUS.
Please let us know—
Since this is current—how you feel
About the offers we’ve sent you.

CAESAR.
That's the point.

ANTONY.
Which should not be begged for, but consider
What it’s worth when it’s accepted.

CAESAR.
And what might come next
To pursue greater luck.

POMPEY.
You've made me an offer
For Sicily and Sardinia; and I have to
Clear all the pirates from the sea; then send
Shipments of wheat to Rome. Agreed,
To leave with unscathed edges and return
With our shields undamaged.

CAESAR, ANTONY, and LEPIDUS.
That’s our deal.

POMPEY.
So, listen up,
I came here ready
To accept this offer. But Mark Antony
Made me a bit impatient. Even though I lose
The credit for it by saying this, you need to know
When Caesar and your brother were fighting,
Your mother came to Sicily and found
A warm welcome.

ANTONY.
I’ve heard about it, Pompey,
And I’m ready to express my gratitude,
Which I owe you.

POMPEY.
Let me take your hand.
I didn't expect to run into you here, sir.

ANTONY.
The beds in the East are soft; and thanks to you,
For calling me here sooner than I intended,
I've benefited from it.

CAESAR.
Since I last saw you,
You've changed.

POMPEY.
Well, I don’t know
What kind of harsh luck is thrown at me,
But she will never invade my heart
And make it her servant.

LEPIDUS.
Good to see you here.

POMPEY.
I hope so, Lepidus. So we’re in agreement.
I’d like our agreement to be written down
And signed by both of us.

CAESAR.
That’s the next thing to do.

POMPEY.
Let's have a feast together before we leave, and let's
pick straws to see who goes first.

Sure thing, Pompey.

POMPEY.
No, Antony, just take it all.
But whether it’s first or last, your amazing Egyptian cooking
Will get the recognition. I’ve heard that Julius Caesar
Gained weight from enjoying it there.

ANTONY.
You've heard a lot.

POMPEY.
I have good intentions, sir.

ANTONY.
And nice words to them.

POMPEY.
Well, that’s a lot I’ve heard.
And I’ve heard that Apollodorus took—

ENOBARBUS.
Enough of that. He did it.

POMPEY.
What, may I ask?

ENOBARBUS.
A certain queen in a mattress with Caesar.

POMPEY.
I recognize you now. How are you doing, soldier?

ENOBARBUS.
Well;
And I'm definitely going to do well, because I see
Four feasts are coming up.

POMPEY.
Let me shake your hand.
I never hated you. I've watched you fight
When I've envied your actions.

ENOBARBUS.
Sir,
I never loved you that much, but I have praised you
When you truly deserved ten times more
Than what I said you did.

POMPEY.
Embrace your simplicity;
It suits you well.
I invite you all aboard my ship.
Will you take the lead, lords?

CAESAR, ANTONY, and LEPIDUS.
Lead the way, sir.

POMPEY.
Come here.

[Everyone exits except Enobarbus and Menas.]

MENAS.
[Aside.] Your father, Pompey, would never have made this deal.—
You and I both know this, sir.

ENOBARBUS.
I think we're at sea.

MENAS.
We have, sir.

ENOBARBUS.
You've done well by water.

MENAS.
And you by land.

ENOBARBUS.
I’ll appreciate anyone who appreciates me, even if it's undeniable what I've accomplished on land.

MENAS.
Nor what I've done by water.

ENOBARBUS.
Yes, there’s something you can deny to keep yourself safe: you have been a huge thief at sea.

MENAS.
And you by land.

ENOBARBUS.
I can't deny my land service. But let me shake your hand, Menas. If our eyes had power, they might catch two thieves sharing a kiss here.

MENAS.
All men’s faces are genuine, no matter what their hands may do.

ENOBARBUS.
But there's never been an attractive woman who has an honest face.

MENAS.
No shade. They steal hearts.

ENOBARBUS.
We came here to fight with you.

MENAS.
Honestly, I regret that it has come to drinking. Pompey is just joking away his luck today.

ENOBARBUS.
If he does, he definitely can't cry it back again.

MENAS.
You said it, sir. We didn’t expect to find Mark Antony here. By the way, is he married to Cleopatra?

Caesar's sister is named Octavia.

MENAS.
That's right, sir. She was married to Caius Marcellus.

ENOBARBUS.
But she is now married to Marcus Antonius.

MENAS.
Excuse me, sir?

Enobarbus.
It's true.

MENAS.
Then there's Caesar, and he is forever tied together.

ENOBARBUS.
If I had to guess the reason for this unity, I wouldn't make such a prediction.

MENAS.
I believe that the arrangement served a greater purpose in the marriage than the love between the individuals.

ENOBARBUS.
I think so too. But you'll find that the bond that appears to unite their friendship will actually be the very thing that strangles it. Octavia has a pure, cold, and calm demeanor.

MENAS.
Who wouldn’t want their wife to be like that?

ENOBARBUS.
It's not that he isn't like this; that's Mark Antony. He'll go back to his Egyptian pleasures. Then Octavia's sighs will fuel Caesar's anger, and as I mentioned before, what strengthens their friendship will be the very thing that causes their conflict. Antony will focus his feelings where he chooses. He married here just for his own reasons.

MENAS.
And so it might be. Come on, sir, will you come aboard? I have a drink for you.

ENOBARBUS.
I’ll take it, sir. We’ve used our voices in Egypt.

MENAS.
Come on, let’s go.

[Exit.]

Music. Enter two or three Staff with a banquet.

FIRST SERVANT.
They'll be here soon, man. Some of their plants are poorly rooted already; even the slightest wind will knock them over.

SECOND SERVANT.
Lepidus is flushed.

FIRST SERVANT.
They’ve made him drink charity wine.

SECOND SERVANT.
As they poke each other by the attitude, he shouts "enough already," calms them down with his pleading, and returns to the drink.

FIRST SERVANT.
But it creates a bigger conflict between him and his judgment.

SECOND SERVANT.
This is what it means to be associated with important people. I'd rather have a useless reed than a supporter I can't rely on.

FIRST SERVANT.
To be called into a big space, and not to be seen moving in it, are the empty spots where eyes should be, which sadly ruin the cheeks.

A trumpet sounded. Enter Caesar, Antony, Pompey, Lepidus, Agrippa, Maecenas, Enobarbus, Menas with other Captains.

ANTONY.
[To Caesar.] This is how they do it, sir: they measure the flow of the Nile
using certain levels in the pyramid; they can determine
from the height, the low point, or the average, whether there's a shortage
or an abundance to come. The higher the Nile rises,
the more it promises. As it recedes, the farmer
throws his seeds onto the mud and slime,
and soon he reaps the harvest.

LEPIDUS.
You have strange snakes there?

Sure, Lepidus.

LEPIDUS.
Your Egyptian serpent is now born from your mud thanks to the work of your sun; the same goes for your crocodile.

They really are.

POMPEY.
Sit down, and let’s have some wine! Here’s to Lepidus!

LEPIDUS.
I’m not feeling as good as I should, but I won’t give up.

ENOBARBUS.
Not until you've slept. I’m afraid you'll be stuck until then.

LEPIDUS.
No, for sure, I’ve heard that the Ptolemy pyramids are really impressive. I can definitely say that I’ve heard that.

MENAS.
[To Pompey.] Pompey, can we talk?

POMPEY.
[Aside to Menas.] Tell me in my ear what it is?

MENAS.
[Whispers in ’s ear.] Please give up your seat, I beg you, captain,
And let me say something.

POMPEY.
[Aside to Menas.] Wait for me until later.—
This wine is for Lepidus!

LEPIDUS.
What kind of creature is your crocodile?

ANTONY.
It’s shaped like itself, sir, and it’s as wide as it is wide. It’s exactly as high as it is, and it moves with its own parts. It survives on what nourishes it, and once the elements leave it, it transforms.

LEPIDUS.
What color is it?

ANTONY.
Of its own color too.

LEPIDUS.
That's a strange snake.

ANTONY.
It's true, and the tears from it are real.

CAESAR.
Will this description please him?

ANTONY.
With the health that Pompey gives him, otherwise he’s just a total foodie.

POMPEY.
[Aside to Menas.] Go away, man, just go away! What are you talking about? Get lost!
Do what I asked you to do.—Where’s that cup I asked for?

MENAS.
[Aside to Pompey.] If you’ll listen to me because of my worth,
Get up from your seat.

POMPEY.
[Aside to Menas.] I think you're crazy.

Rises and walks away.

What's the issue?

MENAS.
I've always taken my hat off to your successes.

POMPEY.
You have served me faithfully. What else is there to say?—
Be joyful, lords.

ANTONY.
Stay away from these quicksands, Lepidus,
You'll just sink if you get too close.

MENAS.
Will you be the ruler of the entire world?

POMPEY.
What do you say?

MENAS.
Will you be the ruler of the whole world?
That's twice.

POMPEY.
What should that be?

MENAS.
But consider this,
And even if you see me as poor, I’m the guy
Who can offer you everything.

POMPEY.
Have you drunk well?

MENAS.
No, Pompey, I’ve held myself back from the cup.
You are, if you dare to be, the earthly Jove.
Whatever the ocean pales or the sky covers
Is yours, if you want it.

POMPEY.
Show me the way.

MENAS.
These three who share the world, these rivals,
Are in your ship. Let me cut the line,
And when we’re clear, attack them fiercely.
Then everything is yours.

POMPEY.
Ah, you should have just done this
Instead of talking about it! For me, it’s a betrayal;
For you, it would have been a good deed. You need to understand
It’s not my personal gain that guides my honor;
My honor does. Regret that your tongue
Has betrayed your actions. If it had been done secretly,
I would have thought it was well done later,
But I have to condemn it now. Stop, and drink.

MENAS.
[Aside.] Because of this,
I’ll never follow your dull fortunes again.
Whoever seeks and won’t accept it when it’s offered
Will never find it again.

Cheers to Lepidus!

ANTONY.
Bring him to land. I’ll vouch for him, Pompey.

Cheers to you, Menas!

MENAS.
Enobarbus, welcome!

POMPEY.
Fill the cup until it's no longer visible.

ENOBARBUS.
There's a tough guy, Menas.

[Pointing to the servant who is taking Lepidus away.]

MENAS.
Why?

ENOBARBUS.
"He takes up a third of the world, man. Don't you see?"

MENAS.
The third part is drunk now. I wish it were everyone,
So it could roll on wheels!

ENOBARBUS.
Drink up. Increase the reels.

MENAS.
Join us.

POMPEY.
This isn't an Alexandrian party yet.

ANTONY.
It's getting closer. Hit the vessels, hey!
Cheers to Caesar!

CAESAR.
I could definitely hold back.
It's a huge effort when I try to clear my head
And it just gets messier.

ANTONY.
Be a product of your time.

CAESAR.
I'll take it; I'll respond.
But I would prefer to go without anything for four days,
Than drink that much in one go.

ENOBARBUS.
[To Antony.] Hey, my brave emperor,
Should we dance the Egyptian Bacchanals now
And celebrate our drinks?

POMPEY.
Let's go, good soldier.

ANTONY.
Come on, let’s all hold hands
Until the victorious wine has dulled our senses
In a gentle and soothing forgetfulness.

ENOBARBUS.
Everyone, join hands.
Let’s blast the music to our ears,
While I set you up; then the boy will sing.
Everyone holding hands should beat as loud
As their strong sides can drum.

Music plays. Enobarbus puts them together, hand in hand.

THE SONG.
  Come, you ruler of the vine,
  Plump Bacchus with rosy eyes!
  In your barrels, let our worries disappear,
  With your grapes, let us be adorned.
  Pour us drinks until the world spins,
  Pour us drinks until the world spins!

CAESAR.
What more do you want? Pompey, good night. Good brother,
Let me ask you to leave. Our more serious matters
Frown upon this silliness.—Gentle lords, let’s break up.
You see we have flushed our cheeks. Strong Enobarbus
Is weaker than the wine, and my own tongue
Splits what it says. The wild disguise has almost
Messed with all of us. What more needs to be said? Good night.
Good Antony, your hand.

POMPEY.
I’ll test you by the shore.

ANTONY.
Sure thing, sir. Give me your hand.

POMPEY.
Oh Antony,
You have my father's house.
But wait, we're friends. Come on, let's get in the boat.

ENOBARBUS.
Watch out you don’t fall.

[Exit Pompey, Caesar, Antony and Attendants.]

Menas, I won’t be on shore.

MENAS.
No, take me to my cabin. These drums, these trumpets, flutes! What!
Let Neptune know we’re saying a big goodbye
To these great guys. Make noise and be damned, make noise!

Make a drum flourish.

ENOBARBUS.
Wow, there’s my hat!

MENAS.
Hey! Noble captain, come.

[Exit.]

Enter Ventidius as if in victory, with Silius and other Romans, officers and soldiers; the dead body of Pacorus carried in front of him.

VENTIDIUS.
Now, Parthia, you've been hit, and now
Fortune is pleased with the death of Marcus Crassus
And makes me the one to take revenge. Bring the king’s son’s body
Before our army. Your Pacorus, Orodes,
Will pay for Marcus Crassus.

SILIUS.
Noble Ventidius,
While your sword is still warm with Parthian blood,
The fleeing Parthians are on your tail. Race through Media,
Mesopotamia, and the places where
The defeated are fleeing. Then your great leader Antony
Will place you on triumphant chariots and
Crown you with garlands.

VENTIDIUS.
Oh Silius, Silius,
I've done enough. Remember, a lower position
Can make an act seem too great. Here’s a lesson for you, Silius:
It’s better to leave something undone than to achieve
Too much fame at the expense of those we serve.
Caesar and Antony have always gained
More from their officers than from themselves. Sossius,
One of my rank in Syria, his lieutenant,
Lost his favor quickly by chasing after fame,
Which he gained in an instant. Anyone who does
More in battle than their commander
Becomes the captain’s captain; and ambition,
The soldier’s virtue, often chooses loss
Over gain that overshadows him.
I could do more for Antonius’ benefit,
But it would offend him, and if I offend him,
My efforts would be wasted.

SILIUS.
You have, Ventidius, that
Without which a soldier and his sword
Barely have distinction. Will you write to Antony?

VENTIDIUS.
I’ll modestly convey what we've achieved in his name,
That powerful word of war; we’ve done it;
How, with his flags and well-paid troops,
We’ve worn down the undefeated cavalry of Parthia
And driven them off the battlefield.

SILIUS.
Where is he now?

VENTIDIUS.
He's headed to Athens, and we'll go there as quickly as we can, given the burden we have to carry.
We'll meet him there. — Hurry up, let’s move!

[They exit.]

Enter Agrippa from one door, Enobarbus from another.

AGRIPPA.
What, are the brothers separated?

ENOBARBUS.
They’ve dealt with Pompey; he’s out of the picture.
The other three are sealing things up. Octavia is crying
About leaving Rome. Caesar is down, and Lepidus,
Since Pompey’s feast, as Menas puts it, is feeling
Nauseous.

AGRIPPA.
Lepidus is a nobleman.

ENOBARBUS.
He's really something special. Oh, how he loves Caesar!

AGRIPPA.
No, but how much he loves Mark Antony!

ENOBARBUS.
Caesar? He’s the king of men.

AGRIPPA.
What’s Antony? The god of Jupiter.

ENOBARBUS.
Did you mention Caesar? How, the one and only!

AGRIPPA.
Oh, Antony! Oh, you Arabian bird!

ENOBARBUS.
If you want to praise Caesar, just say “Caesar.” Don’t go beyond that.

AGRIPPA.
He truly showered them both with great compliments.

ENOBARBUS.
But he loves Caesar most, yet he loves Antony too.
Wow! Hearts, voices, images, writers, performers, poets, can’t
Think, speak, create, write, sing, count—wow!—
His love for Antony. But when it comes to Caesar,
Kneel down, kneel down, and be amazed.

AGRIPPA.
He loves both.

ENOBARBUS.
They are his fragments, and he is their master.

[Trumpets inside.]

So,
This is to the horse. Goodbye, noble Agrippa.

AGRIPPA.
Good luck, honorable soldier, and goodbye.

Enter Caesar, Antony, Lepidus, and Octavia.

ANTONY.
Not anymore, sir.

CAESAR.
You're taking away a big part of me.
Treat me well in this. Sister, be the kind of wife
That my thoughts envision you as, and as my deepest bond
Will show through your approval. Most noble Antony,
Don't let the piece of virtue that connects us,
As the glue of our love,
Be the thing that destroys it. We could have loved better
Without this condition if we don't both value it.

ANTONY.
Don't make me offended
By your distrust.

CAESAR.
I've said it.

ANTONY.
You won't find,
Even if you look closely, any reason
For what you seem to be afraid of. May the gods protect you,
And make the hearts of Romans support your goals.
We will part ways here.

CAESAR.
Goodbye, my dearest sister, take care.
May the elements be kind to you, and bring
You all the comfort you need! Goodbye.

OCTAVIA.
My dear brother!

ANTONY.
April is in her eyes. It's the spring of love,
And these are the showers to bring it on.—Stay positive.

OCTAVIA.
Sir, keep a close eye on my husband's home, and—

CAESAR.
What’s up, Octavia?

OCTAVIA.
I'll tell you in private.

ANTONY.
Her tongue won't follow her heart, nor can
Her heart express her tongue—the swan's-down feather,
That floats on the swell at high tide,
And leans neither way.

ENOBARBUS.
[Aside to Agrippa.] Will Caesar cry?

AGRIPPA.
[Aside to Enobarbus.] He looks troubled.

ENOBARBUS.
[Aside to Agrippa.] He would be worse off if he were a horse;
And he is, being a man.

AGRIPPA.
[Aside to Enobarbus.] Well, Enobarbus,
When Antony discovered Julius Caesar dead,
He cried out almost like a roar, and he wept
When he found Brutus killed at Philippi.

ENOBARBUS.
[Aside to Agrippa.] That year, he really struggled with a cold;
What he messed up, he mourned,
Believe me, until I cry too.

CAESAR.
No, dear Octavia,
You will still hear from me. I won't let my thoughts of you fade away.

ANTONY.
Come on, man, come on,
I’ll fight you with my strength of love.
See, here I have you, now I’m setting you free,
And I’m giving you to the gods.

CAESAR.
Goodbye, stay happy!

LEPIDUS.
May all the stars shine bright
On your beautiful path!

CAESAR.
Goodbye, goodbye!

[Kisses Octavia.]

ANTONY.
Goodbye!

[Trumpets play. They exit.]

Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexas.

CLEOPATRA.
Where's that guy?

ALEXAS.
Half afraid to come.

CLEOPATRA.
Go on, go on.

Enter a Messenger like before.

Come here, sir.

ALEXAS.
Your majesty,
Herod of Judea wouldn’t dare to meet your gaze
Unless you are in a good mood.

CLEOPATRA.
I want Herod's head! But how can I get it now that Antony is gone, the one who could help me?—Come closer.

Messenger.
Your Majesty!

CLEOPATRA.
Did you see Octavia?

MESSENGER.
Yes, fearsome queen.

CLEOPATRA.
Where at?

MESSENGER.
Ma'am, in Rome
I looked her in the face and saw her being led
Between her brother and Mark Antony.

CLEOPATRA.
Is she as tall as I am?

MESSENGER.
She isn't, ma'am.

CLEOPATRA.
Did you hear her speak? Is her voice sharp or soft?

MESSENGER.
Ma'am, I heard her speak. Her voice is soft.

CLEOPATRA.
That’s not great. He can't really like her for much longer.

CHARMIAN.
Like her? Oh Isis! That’s impossible.

CLEOPATRA.
I think so, Charmian: slow to speak and small!
What greatness is in her walk? Remember,
If you’ve ever seen greatness.

MESSENGER.
She moves silently.
Her movement and presence are inseparable.
She presents a form instead of a spirit,
A figure rather than a living being.

CLEOPATRA.
Is this for sure?

MESSENGER.
Or I don't have any notice.

CHARMIAN.
Three in Egypt
Cannot make better note.

CLEOPATRA.
He’s very insightful;
I can see that. She hasn’t got anything figured out yet.
The guy has good judgment.

CHARMIAN.
Awesome.

CLEOPATRA.
Take a guess at how old I am, please.

MESSENGER.
Ma'am,
She was a widow.

CLEOPATRA.
Widow! Charmian, listen!

MESSENGER.
And I really think she’s thirty.

CLEOPATRA.
Do you remember her face? Is it long or round?

MESSENGER.
Round up to imperfections.

CLEOPATRA.
Mostly, they're pretty foolish for being like that.
What color is her hair?

MESSENGER.
Brown, ma'am, and her forehead
As low as she wants it.

CLEOPATRA.
There's gold for you.
Don't take my earlier sharpness the wrong way.
I will hire you again; I find you
Most suited for business. Go get ready;
Our letters are prepared.

[Log out Messenger.]

CHARMIAN.
A good man.

CLEOPATRA.
Yeah, he really is. I regret a lot
That I troubled him so much. Honestly, I think,
This person isn’t what I thought at all.

CHARMIAN.
Nothing, ma'am.

CLEOPATRA.
The man has witnessed some greatness and should be aware.

CHARMIAN.
Has he seen majesty? If not, may Isis protect us,
And after serving you for so long!

CLEOPATRA.
I have one more thing to ask him, good Charmian.
But it doesn’t matter; you’ll bring him to me
Where I will write. Everything should be fine.

CHARMIAN.
I assure you, ma'am.

[Exit.]

Enter Antony and Octavia.

ANTONY.
No, no, Octavia, not just that—
That would be understandable, that and thousands more
Of similar importance—but he has started
New conflicts against Pompey; made his will and announced it
To the public;
Said very little about me; when he had no choice
But to speak of me with respect, he delivered it
In a cold and sickly manner;
He offered me the bare minimum;
When the best opportunity was presented to him, he didn't take it,
Or did it grudgingly.

OCTAVIA.
Oh, my good lord,
Don't believe everything, or if you have to believe,
Don't accept everything. No one has ever been as unhappy as I am,
If this separation happens, I’ll be caught in the middle,
Praying for both sides.
The good gods will make fun of me soon
When I pray, “Oh, bless my lord and husband!”
And then cancel that prayer by crying out as loud
“Oh, bless my brother!” Husband wins, brother wins,
Praying and ruining the prayer; there's no middle ground
Between these extremes at all.

ANTONY.
Gentle Octavia,
Let your true love guide you to what will keep it safe. If I lose my honor,
I lose myself; I'd rather not be yours
Than to be yours without purpose. But, as you asked,
You will stand in the middle of this. In the meantime, my lady,
I’ll prepare for a war
That will shame your brother. Hurry up,
So your wishes can be fulfilled.

OCTAVIA.
Thanks to my lord.
May the powerful Jove make me, the most weak, your mediator! Wars between you two would be
Like the world splitting apart, and the dead trying to mend the divide.

ANTONY.
When you realize where this starts,
Direct your anger there, because our mistakes
Will never match your love equally.
Make your exit;
Pick your own company, and decide what price
Your heart wants to pay.

[Exit.]

Enter Enobarbus and Eros meeting.

ENOBARBUS.
What's up, friend Eros?

EROS.
There's some strange news, sir.

What’s up, man?

EROS.
Caesar and Lepidus have waged wars against Pompey.

ENOBARBUS.
This is outdated. What’s the outcome?

EROS.
Caesar, having used him in the wars against Pompey, then denied him any recognition; he wouldn’t allow him to share in the glory of the victory and, not stopping there, accused him of letters he had previously written to Pompey. Upon his own request, he captured him. So the unfortunate third is taken away, until death expands his boundaries.

ENOBARBUS.
Then, world, you have a pair of jaws, no more,
And toss all the food you have between them,
They'll grind each other up. Where's Antony?

EROS.
He’s walking in the garden like that, and dismisses
The rush in front of him; shouts “Fool Lepidus!”
And threatens the throat of that officer
Who killed Pompey.

ENOBARBUS.
Our great navy is ready.

EROS.
For Italy and Caesar. More, Domitius:
My lord wants you right now. I could have shared my news later.

ENOBARBUS.
It won't matter,
But let it be. Take me to Antony.

EROS.
Come here, sir.

[Exit.]

Enter Agrippa, Maecenas, and Caesar.

CAESAR.
Disregarding Rome, he has done all this, and more
In Alexandria. Here’s how it went down:
In the marketplace, on a silver platform,
Cleopatra and he sat on golden thrones
In public. At their feet sat
Caesarion, whom they call my father’s son,
And all the illegitimate offspring that their desire
Has since created between them. To her
He granted control of Egypt; made her
Queen of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia,
With complete authority.

MAECENAS.
Is this public knowledge?

CAESAR.
In the public arena where they practice.
He declared his sons the kings of kings there:
He granted Great Media, Parthia, and Armenia
to Alexander; to Ptolemy, he assigned
Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia. She
Appeared that day dressed as the goddess Isis
and frequently held audiences,
as it’s been said, so.

MAECENAS.
Let Rome know this.

AGRIPPA.
Who, already feeling uneasy with his arrogance,
Will draw their good thoughts away from him.

CAESAR.
The people know it and have now received
His accusations.

AGRIPPA.
Who is he accusing?

CAESAR.
Caesar, and since Sextus Pompeius has caused trouble in Sicily, we didn't consider him a fair share of the island. Then he claims he loaned me some ships, which I haven't returned. Finally, he's upset that Lepidus from the triumvirate should be removed and that we are holding back all his income.

AGRIPPA.
Sir, this needs a reply.

CAESAR.
It's already done, and the messenger has left.
I've told him that Lepidus has become too ruthless,
That he has misused his high authority,
And deserves to be replaced. For what I've conquered,
I will give him a share; but then in his Armenia
And other kingdoms he's taken, I
Demand the same.

MAECENAS.
He'll never give in to that.

CAESAR.
We must not give in to this.

Enter Octavia with her train.

OCTAVIA.
Hello, Caesar, and my lord! Hello, my most dear Caesar!

CAESAR.
That I should ever call you a lost cause!

OCTAVIA.
You haven't called me that, nor do you have a reason to.

CAESAR.
Why have you sneaked up on us like this? You don't come
Like Caesar’s sister. The wife of Antony
Should have an army to announce her arrival, and
The sounds of horses to signal her approach
Long before she showed up. The trees along the way
Should have been filled with people, and anticipation faded,
Yearning for what it hadn’t yet seen. No, the dust
Should have risen to the sky,
Kicked up by your large forces. But you’ve come
Like a market-maid to Rome, and have interrupted
The display of our affection, which, if left unseen,
Is often left unreturned. We should have welcomed you
By sea and land, filling every stage
With an even greater greeting.

OCTAVIA.
My lord,
I didn't come here because I had to; I came of my own free will. My lord, Mark Antony,
After hearing that you were getting ready for war, told me about it, and I asked him to forgive me for coming back.

CAESAR.
Which he quickly agreed to,
Being a separation between his desires and himself.

OCTAVIA.
Don't say that, my lord.

CAESAR.
I'm keeping an eye on him,
And I hear about his business through the grapevine.
Where is he now?

OCTAVIA.
My lord, in Athens.

CAESAR.
No, my deeply wronged sister. Cleopatra
Has beckoned him to her. He has handed his empire
Over to a prostitute, who is now raising
The kings of the earth for war. He has gathered
Bocchus, the king of Libya; Archelaus
Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king
Of Paphlagonia; the Thracian king, Adallas;
King Manchus of Arabia; the King of Pont;
Herod of Jewry; Mithridates, king
Of Comagene; Polemon and Amyntas,
The kings of Media and Lycaonia,
Along with a much longer list of rulers.

OCTAVIA.
Oh, how miserable I am,
To have my heart divided between two friends
Who are hurting each other!

CAESAR.
Welcome here.
Your letters kept us from moving forward
Until we realized how misled you were
And we were in careless danger. Lift your spirits.
Don’t be troubled by the time, which forces
Harsh necessities upon you,
But let determined matters follow their course
Without lament. Welcome to Rome,
Nothing is dearer to me. You’ve been wronged
Beyond belief, and the gods,
To give you justice, will use us
And those who care for you. Best wishes,
And always welcome to us.

AGRIPPA.
Welcome, ma'am.

MAECENAS.
Welcome, dear madam.
Every heart in Rome loves you and feels sorry for you.
Only the unfaithful Antony, deeply involved
In his wrongdoings, has rejected you
And gives his powerful army to a prostitute
Who speaks out against us.

OCTAVIA.
Is that true, sir?

CAESAR.
Definitely. Sister, welcome. Please
Always remember to be patient. My dearest sister!

[Exit.]

Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus.

CLEOPATRA.
I will get even with you, no doubt about it.

ENOBARBUS.
But why?

CLEOPATRA.
You have spoken against my existence in these wars
And say it is not right.

ENOBARBUS.
So, is it or not?

CLEOPATRA.
Isn't it declared against us? Why shouldn't we
Be there ourselves?

ENOBARBUS.
Well, I could say:
If we were to serve with horses and mares together,
The horse would just be lost. The mares would carry
A soldier and his horse.

CLEOPATRA.
What are you saying?

ENOBARBUS.
Your presence must confuse Antony,
Taking from his heart, taking from his mind, from his time,
What should not then be spared. He is already
Slandered for being frivolous, and it’s said in Rome
That Photinus, a eunuch, and your attendants
Are running this war.

CLEOPATRA.
Let Rome fall, and may their tongues decay
That speak out against us! We carry that blame in this war,
And, as the leader of my kingdom, I will
Step up for a man. Don’t speak out against it.
I won’t be left behind.

Enter Antony and Canidius.

ENOBARBUS.
No, I’m done.
Here comes the Emperor.

ANTONY.
Isn't it strange, Canidius,
That he could cross the Ionian Sea
So quickly from Tarentum and Brundusium
And reach Toryne?—You've heard about it, right?

CLEOPATRA.
Speed is never more appreciated
Than by those who are careless.

ANTONY.
A good comeback,
That would have suited the best of men
To mock at laziness.—Canidius, we
Will fight him at sea.

CLEOPATRA.
By sea, obviously.

CANIDIUS.
Why is my lord doing that?

ANTONY.
Because he challenges us to do it.

ENOBARBUS.
So my lord has challenged him to a duel.

CANIDIUS.
Yeah, and to fight this battle at Pharsalia,
Where Caesar fought against Pompey. But these deals,
That don't benefit him, he rejects,
And you should too.

ENOBARBUS.
Your ships are not well crewed,
Your sailors are cart drivers, harvesters, people
Caught up in quick conscription. In Caesar’s fleet
Are those who have often fought against Pompey.
Their ships are agile, yours are slow. No shame
Will come to you for turning him down at sea,
Since you’re ready for land.

By sea, by sea.

ENOBARBUS.
Most respected sir, you are throwing away
The top-notch military skills you have on land;
Confusing your army, which is mostly made up
Of battle-hardened soldiers; leaving undone
Your own well-known expertise; completely giving up
On the path that guarantees safety; and
Handing yourself over entirely to risk and danger
From solid security.

ANTONY.
I’ll fight on the sea.

CLEOPATRA.
I have sixty ships, and Caesar doesn't have any that are better.

ANTONY.
We’ll burn our extra ships,
And with the rest fully crewed, from the head of Actium
We'll defeat the advancing Caesar. But if we don’t succeed,
We can still fight on land.

Enter a Messenger.

What's your business?

MESSENGER.
The news is true, my lord; he has been spotted.
Caesar has taken Toryne.

ANTONY.
Can he really be there in person? That’s impossible;
It’s odd that he has that kind of power. Canidius,
You’ll command our nineteen legions on land,
And our twelve thousand cavalry. Let’s head to our ship.
Come on, my Thetis!

Enter a Soldier.

What's up, worthy soldier?

SOLDIER.
O noble emperor, don't fight at sea.
Don't rely on rotten boards. Do you doubt
This sword and my wounds? Let the Egyptians
And the Phoenicians go splashing around. We
Are used to winning by standing on the ground
And fighting face to face.

ANTONY.
Alright, let's go.